A retrospective study of descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the causative factors, treatment, complications and management outcomes of patients with Descending Necrotising Mediastinitis (DNM) of odontogenic origin treated at Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospitals for comparison with other published international studies. It is based on the management of 11 patients with DNM treated over a period of 3 years (2007 to 2010). Five patients had tracheostomies, 10 patients had postero-lateral thoracotomies and 1 patient had a Chamberlain procedure. One patient died of septic shock giving a mortality rate of 9.10%. Future studies are needed to monitor this trend. The management of DNM in this study is comparable with that reported by other clinicians.